The Federal Government has said the long-troubled Enugu–Onitsha Expressway is undergoing a major transformation, with ongoing upgrades expected to improve safety and end years of fatal accidents and traffic challenges.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, made the disclosure on Monday, 23 March 2026, during an inspection of key infrastructure projects in Enugu State, including the expressway and the Eke-Obinagu Flyover.
“I’m going round the six geopolitical zones assessing what is possibly to be commissioned before May 29 by Mr. President. There are mega projects that the President will be available for before May 29, and we mean it,” he said.
Once notorious for tanker explosions and frequent loss of lives, the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway had become a symbol of infrastructure decay in the South-East. However, Umahi said interventions under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have begun to reverse the trend.
“Now, this route, the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, you recall that when we came on board, every day, people were talking about this road.
“There were a lot of tanker accidents, a lot of people died, and so forth. But my joy is that the whole thing is a past story, because the President has swung into action,” he stated.
The minister revealed that the 107-kilometre dual carriageway is being significantly upgraded, with large sections being converted from asphalt to concrete to enhance durability.
“It is not only that we are repairing this road… about half of it is going to be concrete. I have no confidence in asphalt. I continue to say it. By the time the asphalt fails, we will have 50 per cent of the road still intact, and if it fails within the second tenure of the President, then be assured that we will fix it,” he said.
He added that similar upgrades are ongoing in Anambra State, particularly around the head bridge axis, where initial asphalt designs are being replaced with concrete pavement to meet modern standards.
Umahi further noted that the project includes additional features aimed at improving safety and environmental sustainability.
“So that is going to happen, but then not only that. We are putting solar lights both for the one that was constructed before us and the one that is being done by us. Within the first one week, we will have solar lights up to this one kilometre. We are also going to plant trees, which is very important,” he added.
The minister urged residents of the South-East to acknowledge what he described as increased federal attention to infrastructure in the region.
“The people of South-East have to be very grateful to Mr. President. The reason is that we never had it like this. I was a governor for eight years, and I can’t think of any federal road project in Ebonyi State,” he said.
He also warned against divisive narratives, stating that some individuals were misleading the public for personal interests.
